General Information

Background

Why I am a Force for Health® Member...	I am a Force for Health member because as a future healthcare professional, I find it important to contribute to society in the best way I know how which includes providing resources and information to those who may not have access or be aware of new advances in regards to their health. As a Chicagoan, I am passionate about improving health disparities and challenges within vulnerable neighborhoods and different communities of people.
My inspiration	My inspiration to be a hardworking and goal oriented person comes from my father. My father inspires me because he has always given my older brother and I all the necessary tools to succeed and has never steered us in the wrong direction. He is a very motivated and honest person that I admire and, aspire to have the same characteristics and achievements that he as accomplished.
What would you like people to know about your community?	I have always lived on the south side of Chicago and within my community we have great schools, parks and recreation, grocery stores, and health clinics that are easily accessible. Although my community is filled with abundant resources, if I were to drive about 10 minutes east there is a lack of resources, increased poverty, and violence that makes most areas of the city unsafe. I would like to see changes be made making communities more plentiful and safe.

My Citizenship Health Factors

Some of the factors that have been challenging for me have been...	Some of the factors that has been challenging for me is adapting to being more independent as a college student and learning how to be alone. During my time in undergraduate courses I have studied loneliness within the college population specifically at Illinois State University and I relate to some of the struggles many students face enterning adulthood. I find it especially important while we are in a pandemic for individuals to have access and resources that help them find comfort in being alone and discussing problems with a healthcare professional.
Some of the strength of my community health factors are:	Some of the strengths of my community health factors are the access to parks and walking trails for exercise, grocery stores that provide fresh fruits and vegetables, healthcare facilities that provides care for the insured and uninsured, and pharmacies for individuals to receive their medications.
Some of the challenges in my community regarding certain health factors are:	Some of the challenges in my community regarding health factors are the risk of obesity, drug abuse, sexual health education programs, and mental health screenings.
I believe I can help improve my community's health by...	I believe that I can help improve my community by contacting community activist, alderman, non-profit organizations, and schools to provide plans to improve the education and resources of the most concerning problems that individuals face.